Kirkor Architects and Planners – Kirkor Architects and Planners

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Aquabella, an architectural showpiece part of the

Aquabella, an architectural showpiece part of the Bayside masterplan, is easy on the eyes AND the environment. As Architect of Record in collaboration with architectural designer @3xnarchitects, it goes to show that green minds think alike, and topped with the support of leading developers like @tridelcommunities and @hines, a sustainable future can be crafted by the decisions we make here and now.

From sourcing local and recycled materials, reducing water waste, planting wisely to maximizing energy efficiency opportunities in suites through to parking spaces, our collective efforts in developing Aquabella have been recognized by Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design administered by the Green Building Certification Institute, and the Ontario Home Builder's Association. Congratulations to the team on the achievement of LEED Platinum Certification and the OHBA Award for 2023's Mid-Rise Green Building in the Architectural Design category!

Photography by: @Michael Muraz

#Aquabella #Toronto #Architecture #LEED #LEEDPlatinum #OHBA #OHBAAwards #Sustainability

Every architect knows what a difference it makes t

Every architect knows what a difference it makes to visit a site - to see its existing context, witness the way architecture affects its surroundings, serves the community, and how people currently move around it. Having these kinds of front-row, up close and personal experiences gives us deep insight, understanding and knowledge that later informs our design decisions and the unique approaches we are often called to take.

In Varun's case, he not only visited a special site, but lived and breathed the air of Chandigarh for a significant portion of his life. The Toronto Society of Architects invites Varun to share his vivid stories about what it was like to grow up in Chandigarh, a city in India designed by the famous modernist architect Le Corbusier. This panel discussion follows the screening of The Power of Utopia – Living with Le Corbusier in Chandigarh at this years Architecture & Design Film Festival hosted at @tiff_net Bell Lightbox on Saturday, November 4, 2:45 PM. We hope to see you there!

#torontosocietyofarchitects #adffilms #toronto #tiff #architect #architecture #design

Burlington's LaSalle neighbourhood is located west

Royal Bayview carves out a new living space amidst

Royal Bayview carves out a new living space amidst a natural setting seeking to diminish its presence by taking cues from geological formations. The north and south building wings will dissipate among landscaping, while the built forms will recall terraced and striated escarpments.

The terraced facade plays a dual role. It defines the structure giving the envelope a recognizable look on the one hand; on the other, the staccato terraces capitalize on looks and views of the surrounding terrain, creating visual interest within and without.

Working with nature has many shapes and forms; occasionally, they include mimicry in the possible sense to favour integration, belonging and countenance.

#KIRKOR #Architecture #DesignLiving #GTA

Tackling the City of Hamilton’s urban design int

Tackling the City of Hamilton’s urban design intent and participating in constructing a pedestrian-focused city core were only some design imperatives we, in collaboration with Melrose Development, took on when conceptualizing and realizing KIWI. The mixed-use building on 212 King William Street in Downtown Hamilton successfully wrapped up its construction this year.

Developing high-level pedestrian comfort and enough amenities to animate the space has been one of the City’s requirements, which the project’s designers wholeheartedly embraced. Commercial units anchor the southeast intersection of King William Street and Ferguson Avenue, with patios integrated into the streetscape conforming to the City’s boulevard café guidelines. The building lobby provides access to the residential units of King William Street and is a glass entry foyer with a concierge, sitting lounge, a visual extension of the café vibe reemphasizing the leisure, calm and upbeat rhythms the entire setting promotes.

While the building podium is rectangular in base, the tower is curvilinear and features corners with balconies stitching together the fabric of the building. The twin tower approach breaks down the long building mass, adding vertical interest, while the red brick and white precast bands animate the façade and draw the eye upward. Where the glass and metal dematerialize the mass, the brick enlivens the structure enough to solicit interest and remain part of the current context. The entirety of the structure, like the butterfly wings in motion, materializes and dematerializes as the eye skims the surface from one vantage point to the next.

#KIRKOR #CityofHamilton #DowntownHamilton #Architecture #UrbanPlanning #Design

Heritage meets urban contemporary at Richmond and

Heritage meets urban contemporary at Richmond and Bathurst Street, reminding us that Toronto has a rich history worth preserving. The two and a half storey brick building on the southwest corner reflects the earliest period of development along Bathurst dating back to 1875, giving us a live glimpse of what a mixed-use commercial building looked like in the late nineteenth century. Keeping the integrity of this history untouched, we incorporated its original features and used it to inspire a podium design of an 18-storey tower. With brick-faced cladding to match, the rejuvenated streetscape celebrates the past while making way for new residences atop.

Renderings provided by Developer: @originate.developments

#KIRKOR #Toronto #TorontoHeritage #TorontoHistory #architecture